St. Edward’s University

st.edwards university majors

Close-Knit, Catholic Liberal Arts Education at SEU

St. Edward’s University appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the South.

Named Forbes’ 256th top private institution, St. Edward’s University is a premier, private Holy Cross ACCU member in Austin that holistically provides 48 bachelor’s and eight graduate degrees, including two entirely online, at a 13:1 student-faculty ratio with 82 percent retention. For example, the BS in Medical Laboratory Science builds a 129-credit curriculum under Dr. Gary Morris with John Brooks Williams Center research, clinical Austin State Hospital rotations, and an optional 4+1 UTMB transfer track. Chaired by Dr. Anna Escamilla, the BA in Social Work follows a 120-credit, CSWE-accredited plan with 430 practicum hours at SafePlace, Posada Esperanza, Trinity Center, and more.

Online via Canvas since 2016, the Bill Munday School of Business has granted a 36-credit MS in Digital Marketing & Analytics led by Dr. Debra Zahay-Blatz with 16 months of 6000-level courses like Buyer Behavior and Social Media for the AMA’s Professional Certified Marketer title. Directed by Dr. Glenda Ballard, the EdD in Higher Education Leadership specializes a 60-credit, 39-month online sequence for Fall or Spring cohorts to begin fast seven-week courses, including Organizational Change, and dissertation research. Other St. Edward’s degrees include the BA in Kinesiology, BA in French, BA in Photography, BS in Behavioral Neuroscience, BA in Theological Studies, BA in Mathematics, BS in Environmental Chemistry, MA in Counseling, and MBA in Supply Chain Management.

About St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University originated in 1877 when Rev. Edouard Sorin, a French priest and Congregation of Holy Cross Superior General, founded Saint Edward’s Academy. In 1878, the first courses were held on a 398-acre farmstead donated by Mrs. Mary Doyle. In 1885, the Texas Legislature approved its charter as Saint Edward’s College. In 1889, Victorian Era architect Nicholas J. Clayton expanded on the modest two-building campus with Old Main. On May 4, 1922, Saint Edward’s College was significantly damaged by twin tornadoes. By 1925, it had rebuilt and been given university status. In 1967, it closed the St. Edward’s High School division to focus on collegiate study. Coeducational since 1966, SEU acquired the nearby Maryhill College in 1970. In 1972, St. Edward’s notably added the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) for 35 farm workers. Two years later, New College was established for adult evening and weekend courses.

Endowed for $109.9 million, St. Edward’s University now employs 342 faculty teaching 4,447 Hilltoppers from 45 states and 58 countries online, at its 155-acre “Silicon Hills” campus, or abroad in Angers with 180+ clubs like Alpha Lambda Delta. In 2018, St. Edward’s received the AIA Austin Design Award for Holy Cross Hall. In 2017, the Public Relations Student Society of America gave the SEU Chapter its Student Life Rising Star Award. SEU accepted a 2017 SoACE Champion of Diversity Award too. The U.S. News & World Report declared St. Edward’s the 12th best West college, sixth most veteran-friendly school, and 24th top value. On Niche, SEU boasts America’s 44th best criminal justice, 72nd top design, and 83rd best international relations programs. Money magazine crowned SEU the 467th best buy with a $170,000 PayScale ROI. College Consensus picked St. Edward’s as the 11th top school in Texas.

St. Edward’s University Accreditation Details

On March 25, 2017, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees took action to reaffirm the Level V accreditation status at St. Edward’s University through 2026-27 under its 23rd president, Dr. George E. Martin, a New American Colleges & Universities Board member. Located 960 miles east via Interstate 10 in Decatur, Georgia, this elite 11-state Gulf Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Particularly, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited St. Edward’s in February 2019 for the Bachelor of Arts. The Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) approved St. Edward’s through March 2021.

St. Edward’s University Application Requirements

Enrolling at St. Edward’s University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 4,468 of the 6,046 Fall 2017 applicants were chosen for 74 percent acceptance. First-year Hilltoppers must finish the Texas Recommended High School diploma, an out-of-state equivalent, or the GED. Four years of English plus three each of Math, Science, and History is suggested. Freshmen generally rank in the top one-third of their class with an average 3.52 GPA. The middle 50th percentile achieves SAT scores of 1110-1280. Mid-range ACT scores were 22-27. The Honors Program requires attaining cumulative 3.5 GPAs or better. Transfers need at least one full-time college semester at 2.5 GPAs with no grades below C. Non-native English speakers are welcome with at least 79 TOEFL, 28 ACT, or 1310 SAT marks. The Graduate Admission Office seeks four-year accredited bachelor’s with GPAs above 3.0. Master of Accounting cohorts specifically need six prerequisites, including Auditing and Taxation.

St. Edward’s University enforces December 1st Early Action, February 1st priority, and May 1st final deadlines for freshmen. Transfers must file by July 1st for Fall or November 15th for Spring enrollment. The CAMP Program has a strict May 1st deadline. The Graduate Admission Office has priority dates of June 1st, October 1st, and March 1st. Accordingly, complete the ApplyTexas or Common Application for $50 (unless waived). Forward official transcripts to 3001 South Congress Avenue in Austin, TX 78704. Submit electronic testing reports via SAT/TOEFL code 6619 or ACT code 4156. Attach supplemental materials like the 500-word personal essay, detailed work history, 1-2 recommendations, Phi Theta Kappa membership card, and passport. Contact (855) 468-6738 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, St. Edward’s University is billing full-time undergrads $23,345 per semester or $46,690 annually. Undergrads cover a $500 technology fee and $275 car permit fee each year. Freshmen pay the one-time $250 orientation fee. Optional health insurance premiums are $2,484. Residing at the Austin campus’ dorms like Teresa Hall adds $8,554 for yearly housing. All-access meal plans for Edmund Hunt Hall are $4,220 extra. SEU budgets $1,200 for books and $2,482 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $61,670 on-site and $49,110 at home. Graduate programs are priced $1,610 per credit. Master’s or doctoral cohorts are charged a $250 technology fee. Monthly payment plans incur another $50 fee.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office in Main Building Room 204 gets 84 percent of full-time SEU Hilltoppers tuition aid averaging $24,502 apiece for $83.01 million combined. Institutional opportunities include the Dean’s Excellence Scholarship, Edwardian Scholarship, Sorin Award, Moreau Scholarship, Theater Arts Scholarship, Varsity Athletic Scholarship, Trustee’s Merit Scholarship, International Academic Scholarship, and Holy Cross High School Scholarship. The President’s Excellence Scholarship gifts $22,000 each year to outstanding freshmen meeting the 1360 SAT or 29 ACT minimum. Since 1996, the Austin Community Foundation has developed nearly 500 funds like the Coach Wade Pittsford Scholarship, Christians in Journalism Scholarship, and Tom Moore Scholarship. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Work-Study Program, become available with FAFSA applications coded 003621. The Tuition Equalization Grant provides up to $3,420 for Texans with GPAs above 2.5 at private colleges like St. Edward’s.

Search through the five student-centered schools with 55+ degrees ranked 464th overall by The Wall Street Journal at the St. Edward’s University website.

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